Physical Therapist Assistant In Tenessee

The practice of physical therapy is a rapidly growing component of America’s healthcare system.

Physical therapists and therapist assistants are involved at nearly every level of a complete medical treatment plan.

Whether it is assisting a patient to recover from a traumatic accident or helping the elderly to maintain an independent and satisfying lifestyle, the physical therapy assistant is a vital part of any effective medical treatment.

Physical Therapy Assistants in Tennessee

Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has estimated that there are over 67,000 physical therapy assistants (PTA) working in the United States, with nearly 2,300 PTAs working in Tennessee. F

urthermore, the BLS expects the number of available careers for PTAs to rise by at least 46 percent between 2010 and 2020. When combined with employee attrition from retirement and other causes, this results in a career that has extremely favorable employment prospects for new PTAs.

The annual mean salary of Tennessee PTAs is over $51,000. Because of Tennessee’s low cost of living, this is an excellent salary for professional workers.

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Annual Mean Salary

In addition, experienced PTAs, or those working in high demand fields, may expect to earn considerably more. Finally, the level of compensation PTAs receive is competitive with other fields that require a similar amount of training.

Becoming a Tennessee Physical Therapy Assistant

Tennessee requires that all physical therapy assistants be licensed by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy. The Board has the following requirements that all candidates must successfully complete:

Obtain a letter of recommendation attesting to the candidate’s moral character.

Complete an accredited program for physical therapy assistants.

Take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

If the candidate is seeking licensure by endorsement, submit proof of his or her status.

Physical Therapy Assistant Training Programs

Community colleges or vocational institutions offer most physical therapy assistant programs. These programs usually take about two years for a full-time student to complete. Most programs include a combination of academic class work, laboratory exercises and in some cases, supervised work with physical therapy patients.

In addition, some programs also offer externships, which is a process by which a physical therapy student can gain experience in a working medical office or other institution. While unpaid, externships can be very useful in obtaining the practical experience that will help prepare the physical therapist assistant to obtain employment after graduation.

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Many physical therapy programs also offer part-time options for those students who are currently employed or otherwise unable to attend classes on a regular schedule. In many cases, part-time students will attend classes on the weekends or evenings, in addition to being allowed to complete some courses via the Internet.

Usually, a part-time student will design a schedule based on his or her needs, in cooperation with the school’s physical therapy program administration.

Finally, the physical therapy assistant program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The CAPTE only accredits those programs that adhere to strict standards of educational and medical excellence, ensuring that an accredited program’s graduates are fully prepared to become effective physical therapy assistants.

The Tennessee Board will in general not accept graduation from a non-accredited board, so it is very important that the student ensure that his or her program is currently in good standing with the CAPTE.

If the student has attended a foreign school, he or she must submit evidence that the school complies with the standards set forth by the CAPTE before the Board will accept his or her proof of graduation.

The NPTE

The NPTE is a comprehensive exam that covers all aspects of the PTAs duties. Although a student can repeat the NPTE should he or she fail it the first time, this will delay the licensure process. Because of this, a physical therapy assistant candidate should only take the NPTE if he or she is confident of passing the examination.

Licensure by Endorsement

Individuals who are licensed in another state may obtain their license via endorsement. This requires them to provide the Tennessee Board with information about their current license. The candidate must be in good standing in his or her home state, whether or not the license is currently active.

Any individual seeking licensure by endorsement must remember that they are not allowed to practice in Tennessee until they have received a license from the Board, regardless of their status in another state.

Becoming a PTA in Tennessee is an excellent choice for those seeking entry into an expanding field with promising professional and salary options.

Furthermore, physical therapy is a personally rewarding field that allows the PTA to directly help his or her fellow citizens.

Whether the PTA is working at a major hospital, convalescent home, or is providing in-home care to the elderly, he or she will be respected by fellow professionals and the general public alike.

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools In Tennessee

Why PCI is the Right Choice for You
It all boils down to support – and we believe our students should have as much as they need. At Pinnacle Career Institute, we have woven support into every program, department, and campus. From our career services to our curriculum, each element is designed to put student success first.

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For more than 35 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, career-focused education in fields such as health care, business, criminal justice and information technology. Our one-class-at-a-time schedules allow busy students to focus on their education and balance the demands of work and family. Whether you choose to attend online, on campus, or both you will be part of a caring learning environment led by experienced faculty who bring textbooks to life with real-world challenges and solutions. Our unique combination of a curriculum that is in pace with technology and the skills employers value along with our “students first” approach provides an outstanding academic experience.

Why Keiser University Online

Online Convenience to Help You Achieve Your Goals

From faculty to admissions, our staff is dedicated to your success.

Accessible faculty and staff with small classes to ensure personalized attention for each student

Extensive online resources with access to all student services, including registration, instructional materials and an online library system with a wide range of academic journals, e-books, streaming videos, print titles and research databases

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools1

Financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify

Military-friendly and committed to serving active members of the military, veterans and their families, with scholarships available for those who qualify.

Approved for veterans training

Transfer credits accepted subject to university approval

Keiser is one of Florida’s largest independent universities and is a valued choice for career-motivated students. We offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in fields that are in demand, and we provide job placement assistance to students and alumni.

Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university.

1 Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctoral levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Keiser University.